Monday, October 07, 2002
NFL Sunday roundup
Raiders hold on to beat Bills, becoming NFL's only unbeaten team
The Associated Press
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Rookie Phillip Buchanon returned an interception by Drew Bledsoe 81 yards with just over eight minutes left Sunday as the Oakland Raiders defeated the Buffalo Bills 49-31 to remain the NFL's only unbeaten team.
Oakland improved to 4-0 for the sixth time in franchise history and first time since 1990, and the Raiders later became the only team with an unblemished record when the San Diego Chargers were routed in Denver, falling to 4-1.
With the Raiders clinging to a 35-31 lead, Buchanon stepped in front of Bledsoe's pass toward Peerless Price and ran it back untouched up the left sideline. Buchanon had let a pass slip through his hands on the previous play.
Buchanon's interception came a week after the cornerback returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and had an interception to set up another TD in Oakland's 52-25 win over the Titans.
Rich Gannon finished 23-of-38 for 357 yards. The game featured two of the league's most prolific offenses, and the teams combined for 974 yards.
Bledsoe had led the Bills (2-3) to two victories in their three overtime games, but he couldn't engineer another great finish. He threw for 417 yards but also had three interceptions.
Broncos 26, Chargers 9
DENVER — Brian Griese threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns, and Denver held San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson to 48 yards, a week after he tied the team record with 217 against New England.
Denver (4-1) bottled up San Diego's running game, forcing the Chargers to go almost exclusively with the pass. Drew Brees was 26-for-42 for 235 yards, but he was intercepted twice by Deltha O'Neal.
San Diego (4-1) crossed midfield just four times, with one drive ending on an interception by O'Neal in the end zone. O'Neal, who was ejected for bumping an official last week against Baltimore, also returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter that put Denver up 26-3.
Dolphins 26, Patriots 13
MIAMI — Jay Fiedler threw two touchdowns and ran for another — all on third down — as Miami defeated New England 26-13 Sunday to take over sole possession of first place in the AFC East.
The Dolphins improved to 4-1, while the Patriots fell to 3-2 with their second straight defeat. They're 0-13 in Miami in September and October.
Coming off a 48-30 loss at Kansas City, the Dolphins regained their dominant form on defense. End Jason Taylor had two sacks and forced a fumble by New England quarterback Tom Brady to set up Miami's first score.
The Dolphins led 16-0 at halftime, and the Patriots' first 21 plays netted just 17 yards.
Ricky Williams gained 105 tough yards on 36 carries — a Dolphins regular-season record. He already has four 100-yard games this season, one shy of the team season mark set by Delvin Williams in 1978.
Redskins 31, Titans 14
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Steve Spurrier found a new quarterback in rookie Patrick Ramsey, who relieved injured Danny Wuerffel and threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
The Redskins (2-2) bounced back from two straight defeats behind their first-round draft pick, who went 20-of-34 and helped his team roll up 442 yards against the hapless Titans (1-4).
Wuerffel made his first NFL start in four years, but he left after just one series with an injured right shoulder.
49ers 37, Rams 13
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers pounded their biggest rivals with delight as Jeff Garcia threw for a touchdown and ran for another in a rout that left the defending NFC champions 0-5.
Jason Webster staggered the already roughed-up Rams when he intercepted a pass by backup Jamie Martin — starting for the injured Kurt Warner — and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown and a 27-3 lead just before halftime.
Garrison Hearst ran for 116 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter for the 49ers (3-1).
Jaguars 28, Eagles 25
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rookie John Henderson sacked Donovan McNabb three times, and Bobby Shaw returned a punt 69 yards in the Jaguars' close victory.
Jacksonville (3-1) made the big plays and the right calls, especially early in the fourth quarter, when coach Tom Coughlin took a gamble, going for it on fourth-and-1 from the Philly 2 with a 14-10 lead. Stacey Mack broke Barry Gardner's tackle for the first down, and scored from the 1 on the next play for a 21-10 lead.
McNabb threw for 230 yards and ran for 100 more, but he was sacked five times. He was so exhausted trying to lead the Eagles (3-2) back late in the game that he had to pull away from center while he threw up on the field.
Buccaneers 20, Falcons 6
ATLANTA — Keyshawn Johnson caught a 76-yard pass for his first touchdown of the season, and the Buccaneers got another defensive TD when Warren Sapp intercepted a pass and lateraled to Derrick Brooks.
Tampa Bay (4-1) has allowed only 27 points in winning four straight games, and the defense hasn't given up a touchdown on the road all season.
The Falcons (1-3) lost quarterback Michael Vick, who sprained his right (non-throwing) shoulder early in the third quarter and didn't return.
Giants 21, Cowboys 17
IRVING, Texas — Kerry Collins, who entered the game leading the NFC in passing yardage but had thrown for only one score, threw three TD passes to lead the Giants.
New York (3-2) took the lead for good when Collins hit Marcellus Rivers for a 17-yard score with 6:51 left.
The Cowboys (2-3) had a chance to pull out a second straight late victory, but Quincy Carter overthrew Antonio Bryant on a long pass with less than three minutes left.
Emmitt Smith scored his first TD of the season on a 30-yard run. He finished with a season-high 70 yards, leaving him 234 away from breaking Walter Payton's career record.
Cardinals 16, Panthers 13
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bill Gramatica kicked a 50-yard field goal with 16 seconds left as Arizona improved to 3-2, its best start since 1991.
The Panthers (3-2) clung to a 13-6 lead through the fourth quarter, until the Cardinals' Coby Rhinehart intercepted a pass by Rodney Peete — one of four Carolina turnovers.
Freddy Jones scored on a 15-yard run to tie the game, and Carolina couldn't move the ball, giving the Cardinals a chance for the game-winner.
Chiefs 29, Jets 25
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Chiefs running back Priest Holmes ran for 152 yards and a touchdown, and his 19-yard touchdown reception from Trent Green with 27 seconds left handed the Jets their fourth straight loss.
Holmes caught nine passes for 81 yards, and Green followed his five-touchdown performance last week with 296 yards and two TDs to lead the Chiefs (3-2).
John Hall kicked a 25-yard field goal with 2:54 remaining to give the Jets (1-4) a 3-point lead, but Kansas City marched 78 yards for the winning score.
Chad Pennington, making his first career start after Vinny Testaverde was benched, was 23-of-
30 for 245 yards, and Curtis Martin had 119 yards.
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Da Matta wins race and first CART title
Earhardt wins again in Talladega
Once again, Oakland loses Game 5 in opening round
San Fran knots it up
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MLB playoffs notebook
Div. II, III boys state golf on tap
High school schedule
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NFL Sunday roundup
